Our new research [1] sheds light on how many people may be struggling in silence. They might feel the need to hide their pain because of stigma, treatments that haven’t worked for them, and long waits within the NHS.
That’s why we have launched our Pain Unmasked campaign — to offer a glimpse into what it can truly feel like to live with chronic pain. We collaborated with artist Hayley Wall and three people living with pain — influencer Mesha Moiniriad, and Curaleaf patients Fran Taylor and Ryan Swanepoel. Together, we’ve transformed their experiences into powerful works of art: masks that represent what they often keep hidden.
Understanding Chronic Pain: Insights from Curaleaf Clinic Research
It is estimated that nearly 28 million people in the UK live with chronic pain [2]. Research conducted as part of our Pain Unmasked campaign found that 82% of chronic pain sufferers feel compelled to hide their condition. Many (45%) also face scepticism from friends, family, and even in the workplace [3]. Many stay silent due to fear of being seen as weak or incapable (40%) or not wanting to be a burden (33%).
It’s not just emotional — daily life is affected too:
44%
struggle to sleep
15%
have trouble with relationships
40%
find it hard to exercise
28%
avoid social activities
1 in 5
feel completely isolated
Chronic Pain Treatment
Unfortunately for some, traditional treatments don’t always provide the desired relief and 54% face delays in accessing care through the NHS. For years, opioids have been one of the most prescribed medications for chronic pain [4], but:
- Only 39% of patients find prescription painkillers such as this most effective [5].
- Nearly as many (33%) find alternative therapies — like acupuncture, creative therapies (e.g. painting, sculpture), and medical cannabis — provide the most relief.
Despite the legalisation of medical cannabis in 2018, barriers remain:
16%
of sufferers are unaware it is legal
18%
are unsure how to access it
26%
would be open to trying it if available
on the NHS
30%
would like to speak to their GP about medical cannabis
Living with Chronic Pain: Curaleaf Patients Share Their Stories
Here’s what some of our Curaleaf Clinic patients have shared about their experiences and what it’s like living with chronic pain:
Ryan Swanepoel, a Curaleaf Clinic patient living with limb girdle muscular dystrophy, a condition which causes weakness and wasting of the muscles around the hips and shoulders, shares:
“For years, I kept the full extent of my pain hidden – it felt like no one truly understood or knew how to manage it. I tried traditional treatments, but they changed who I was and carried risks that made long-term use impossible.
It wasn’t until I discovered medical cannabis that I finally found some form of relief. It’s transformed my life, and more people deserve to know this option is out there.”
Fran Taylor, a Curaleaf Clinic patient living with endometriosis, comments:
“Endometriosis has controlled my life for 12 years, leaving me waiting endlessly for effective treatment. I was dismissed and misunderstood for so long, feeling completely isolated.
Pain shouldn’t be suffered in silence – we need to speak up, advocate for ourselves, and get the support we deserve.”
Living Well with Chronic Pain: Growing Awareness and Demand
Dr Simon Erridge, Research Director at Curaleaf Clinic, believes that no one should be left struggling when potential solutions exist. He says:
"With traditional treatments failing many, chronic pain patients are left suffering in silence. Evidence for medical cannabis is growing, and demand is rising — Curaleaf Clinic has seen a 34% increase in chronic pain patients in the last year — yet many still don’t know how to access it. Greater awareness and support are needed to ensure patients get the treatment they deserve
At Curaleaf Clinic, we provide evidence-backed insights to campaign for greater availability. Government support is critical to expanding access for current and future patients.
Without funding for research and the political will to help medical cannabis patients, progress towards NHS access has stalled."
Through Pain Unmasked, we hope to help people better understand what it’s like living with chronic pain. By sharing research, real stories, and powerful artwork, we aim to capture the profound emotional and physical weight of this experience. While chronic pain may not always be visible, it is no less real or valid and no one should have to endure their pain in silence.
Want to know if medical cannabis is right for you?
Check your eligibility for a consultation online today. You’ll answer some questions about you and your diagnosed condition and share your medical records, which we can get on your behalf if needed.
Citations
- Research conducted on behalf of Curaleaf clinic by Opinium Research between 4th February 2025 and 7th February 2025 among a nationally representative sample size of 4,000 UK adults, including 1,476 patients with a diagnosed chronic pain condition
- Friends (15%), family (18%) and from colleagues or employers (14%). From Opinium Research (citation 1)
- NICE (2024), Chronic pain: How common is it?
- Jani et al (2020), Time trends and prescribing patterns of opioid drugs in UK primary care patients with non-cancer pain: A retrospective cohort study
- 39% of chronic pain sufferers who have tried some form of treatment. From Opinium Research (citation 1)
